OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Two OneDrive Versions or Cloud Icons on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to understand why two OneDrive applications or menu bar cloud icons appear on their Mac and how to safely remove the duplicate version without deleting their stored files.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: After installing a new version of Microsoft 365 on a Mac, duplicate OneDrive icons or applications become visible.
Observed behavior: The Mac displays two OneDrive cloud icons in the menu bar or lists two separate OneDrive applications in the Applications folder.

Before you start

Before unlinking accounts or deleting any duplicate applications, click the active OneDrive menu bar icon to verify that all your recent files are fully synced to the cloud.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink Multiple OneDrive Accounts from the Menu Bar

Use this solution if you see two OneDrive cloud icons in your Mac's top menu bar, which typically indicates that multiple accounts (e.g., Personal and Work) are signed in.

Having two cloud icons in the menu bar is normal if you have linked both a personal Microsoft account and an enterprise or school account. If you no longer need one of these accounts active on your Mac, you can safely unlink it.

Access OneDrive Settings

Click on one of the OneDrive cloud icons in the Mac menu bar to open the activity center, then click the 'Help & Settings' (gear) icon and select 'Preferences'.

Identify the Linked Account

Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the preferences window to see which specific email address or Microsoft account is associated with this icon.

Unlink the Account

If this is the account you wish to remove, click the 'Unlink this Mac' button. The duplicate cloud icon will disappear from the menu bar, but your files will remain safe in the cloud.

File Preservation: Unlinking an account only stops the synchronization process. It will not delete the local OneDrive folder or any files stored in your Microsoft cloud.

Solution 2

Safely Remove Duplicate OneDrive Applications

Use this method if you have two distinct OneDrive apps in your Mac's Applications folder after a Microsoft 365 update.

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Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Mac Experience

Managing multiple Microsoft 365 installations and cloud drives can cause clutter on your Mac. Consider switching to WPS Office for a lightweight, all-in-one suite that perfectly handles your document needs while integrating seamlessly with cloud services.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Access Cloud Files: Launch WPS Office, sign in, and directly access your cloud files from the unified home screen without dealing with duplicate sync clients.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Built-in WPS Cloud prevents the need for managing multiple third-party sync apps.Lightweight all-in-one installation prevents application bloat and duplicate versions on your Mac.Completely free basic version with an intuitive interface similar to what you are already used to.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting the duplicate OneDrive app delete my files?

No. Uninstalling or moving the OneDrive application to the Trash only removes the software itself. Your files remain securely stored in your Microsoft cloud account and your local OneDrive folder on the Mac.

Why do I see 'OneDrive - Personal' and 'OneDrive - [Company Name]' on my Mac?

This happens when you link both a personal Microsoft account and a work or school account to the OneDrive application. The system creates two separate folders and menu bar icons to keep your personal and business data strictly isolated.

Can I merge two different OneDrive accounts?

Microsoft does not provide a feature to automatically merge multiple OneDrive accounts. You must manually download the files from one account and upload them to the other if you wish to consolidate your storage.

Document & File Issues